Comparing the features of the Outlook client and Outlook Web Access (OWA)
Please note that you may not need to ever use the Outlook client on your computer. You may find the web features of OWA completely satisfying. In order to provide you with some guidance in your selection, below is a guide to the comparison of the Outlook client and the Outlook Web Access functionality.
|
Feature
|
Feature Description
|
Outlook 2010 Client
|
OWA 2010 SP1
|
Outlook 2011 Client
|
|
AD Rights Management Services
|
Protects messages from unauthorised access.
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Address Book Defaults
|
Allows a default address list (such as Contacts, GAL) to be chosen
|
Yes
|
Yes (Limited)
|
No
|
|
Autodiscover Compatibility
|
Automatic setup of Exchange account
|
Yes
|
N/A
|
Yes
|
|
Auto Archive
|
Automatically moves older items to a local PST
|
Yes
|
N/A
|
No
|
|
Calendar Preview in Meeting Requests
|
Meeting requests show a preview of adjacent or conflicting appointments
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
Conversation Actions
|
Ignore and Clean Up/Delete buttons
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Conversation View
|
Improved Conversation Threading
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Cross Forest Mailbox Move Support
|
Auto reconfigure using auto discover
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
CSV Contacts Import/Export
|
Import/ Export CSV files in a standard format
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
Distribution Group Management
|
Management of memberships of Exchange Distribution Groups
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Distribution Group Expansion
|
Expand DGs before sending to see all members
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
|
Enhanced Out of Office
|
Set external/internal message and from/to date range
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Export PST
|
Allow PST files to be created and data exported
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
|
Federated Sharing Compatibility
|
Integration to allow access to remote calendar, share local calendar
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Group Schedule View
|
Combine Multiple Calendars in One View
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
Import PST
|
Allow PST files to be imported to the mailbox
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
Instant Search
|
Fast searching using pre-built search index
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes (Using Spotlight)
|
|
Integrated E-Mail Archive
|
Online Archive Access
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Internet Calendar Sharing/Subscription
|
iCal Calendar Sharing/Server Side Subscription
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
MailTips
|
Server side mail tips for OOF, Large DG, permissions to send or comments
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Multiple Exchange Accounts
|
Multiple accounts with different servers or domains
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
Offline Address Book
|
OAB access and download
|
Yes
|
N/A
|
Yes
|
|
Office Communicator Integration
|
Start converations video, call IM
|
Yes
|
Yes (IM)
|
Yes
|
|
Outlook Contact Card Photo and Voice Description
|
GAL Photos and UM Name along with availability
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
|
Outlook Social Connector
|
Plugins for Facebook, LinkedIn
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
|
Quick Actions
|
Macros to perform multiple or common actions at once
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
|
Quick View
|
Allows viewing of compatible attachments without leaving Outlook
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes (OS 10.6 required)
|
|
Resend Message
|
Resend button allows you to resend an email
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes (with SP1)
|
|
Retention and Archive Policy Management
|
Set and view retention policy for folders
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Ribbon Interface
|
Office Fluent User Interface
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
Right-Hand Preview Pane
|
Message preview shown to the right of messages
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Roaming Autocomplete List
|
Stored Nicknames on the server
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
RSS Aggregator
|
Subscribe to RSS Feeds from Outlook
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
|
Scheduling Assistance / Availability Service Integration
|
Real time calendar view for meeting and room bookings
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Server-side Junk E-mail List
|
Modification of server side junk email allow/block list
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Server-side rules
|
Modification of server side inbox rules
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes (with SP1)
|
|
Text Messaging through ActiveSync
|
Access and Send Text Messages via compatible WinMo 6.5 Device
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Unified Inbox
|
Combined view of Inbox across multiple email accounts.
|
No
|
N/A
|
Yes
|
|
Voicemail Play On Phone
|
UM play voicemail on phone
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
Voting Buttons
|
Allows approval of moderated messages or voting on user generated emails.
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
You can visit http://help.outlook.com/ for more detailed help and information about Outlook Live, Outlook 2010, Outlook 2011, and Outlook OWA.